Best American Restaurants in California Central Coast

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15 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Red Lobster - Santa Maria restaurant

1. Red Lobster - Santa Maria

4.0

Excellent(16)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Orcutt / Santa Maria

Booked 4 times today

Our table server Edward was very nice person. Accomodating. Food portion was good for two seniors. Price was just right. We are definitely going back.

A photo of Pono Pacific Kitchen restaurant

2. Pono Pacific Kitchen

4.9

Exceptional(619)

Price: Expensive

• Pacific Rim • Pismo Beach

Booked 10 times today

Just go here. You won’t be disappointed. Not an inexpensive meal, but worth every penny.

A photo of Copper Café and Bakery, at Madonna Inn restaurant

3. Copper Café and Bakery, at Madonna Inn

4.5

Awesome(1945)

Price: Expensive

• American • San Luis Obispo

Booked 70 times today

Highly recommend making reservations if you’re planning to go. Wait times can be a little long. We had reservations and got seated right away. Food was delicious, and the portions were very generous for price point. Staff was super friendly and everyone seemed to help each other. Will be dining there again for dinner.

A photo of Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, at Madonna Inn restaurant

4. Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, at Madonna Inn

4.7

Exceptional(4478)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • San Luis Obispo

Booked 46 times today

Always delicious and such a unique and fun atmosphere! Our waitress, Jamie, was absolutely delightful, friendly, super efficient and very helpful, showing us the dinosaur fossils! Excellent evening!

5. Ventana Grill

4.6

Exceptional(3201)

Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Pismo Beach

Booked 33 times today

Excellent food and service. Best clam chowder I have ever had.....

6. Ada's Fish House

4.7

Exceptional(232)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Pismo Beach

Booked 14 times today

Grilled artichoke with 2 dipping sauces was delightful. Snapper fish tacos were filled full with lots of fish and condiments. Fresh salmon with lemon picata sauce was perfectly prepared and came with LOTS of green beans and fries. We're going back!

7. Custom House

4.3

Awesome(141)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Avila Beach

Booked 20 times today

We had a wonderful dinner. The stuffed chicken dish was amazing! And the chopped wedge salad had a nice twist to a classic salad with the addition of fried shallots. Would definitely return their again!

A photo of Gardens of Avila Restaurant restaurant

8. Gardens of Avila Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(936)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • San Luis Obispo

Booked 9 times today

Excellent breakfast menu and the service was outstanding

A photo of Jocko's Steakhouse restaurant

9. Jocko's Steakhouse

4.6

Exceptional(1879)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Nipomo

Booked 47 times today

Jocko's is a lot of fun and the steaks are great! Prices are up some (as everywhere) Unfortunately, they cut back on their amazing appetizer tray some time back which was IMO a highlight of the place (along with great drinks) ... I get that it wasn't fun to have to throw out uneaten appetizers but it would have been better to sell these for, say, $5 or $8. I would say the food is not quite where it was pre-Covid, hence the **** and not *****

10. Ciao Papi

4.5

Awesome(42)

Price: Moderate

• American • Paso Robles

Booked 1 time today

We had the best time celebrating our anniversary at Ciao Papi! The food and cocktails were delicious. We ended the evening with the fig sundae and it was so good! Our server was sweet and very attentive. We can't wait to join you for dinner again!

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